Raptors fail to execute, fall to Heat in dying seconds

TORONTO — The lasting image would feature a Norman Powell missed three-ball with no defender within 10 feet, a missed defensive assignment that led to the game-winning basket.

What people might also remember was the foul the Raptors could have used, but didn’t on the game’s final possession.

Above all else, fans will lament the Raptors’ 90-89 loss to visiting Miami on Tuesday night, a setback that snapped Toronto’s 12-game run of success on the Air Canada Centre court.

What they won’t remember, predictable given the frenetic way the night would end, is how lethargic the Raptors played for virtually most of the evening, the lack of competitive fight on the boards, the lack of shotmaking in the absence of all-star point guard Kyle Lowry.

There is no mercy in the cut-throat world of the NBA and no one gives any team any breaks when the back end of a back to back is played.

There was a dust-up between Raptors’ Serge Ibaka and the Heat’s James Johnson, a third-quarter melee that led to both players being ejected.

In the seconds following the final whistle being blown, DeMar DeRozan and Goran Dragic got into it.

Dragic plays on the edge and anyone who watched the second-round series two springs ago between the Raptors and Heat might recall how Dragic under Toronto’s skin.

“Back to back, it doesn’t matter,’’ began head coach Dwane Casey when asked about his team’s effort before the game turned wild late. “We got in at 3 am, it doesn’t matter because nobody cares. I know Miami didn’t care.

“We didn’t do the things. They got 20 offensive rebounds. We hold a team to 40%, but again it’s attention to detail, hitting someone before a shot is missed. We didn’t do those things. And then you put yourself in a position (to pull off a win) and you can’t execute, you can’t carry out things you have to do.

“You put yourself in that position, but it started well before that. Hats off to Miami. We didn’t play well enough to win.”

They didn’t and yet the Raptors had a shot for that baker’s dozen on their home floor.

Losing two starters always hurts, but the Raptors did lead 87-86 with 2:01 left on a driving DeRozan layup.

Both offences then laboured down the stretch before the Raptors were given one of those dagger moments that must be pounced on.

This one involved an open Powell from distance.

Granted, Powell has been struggling, but NBA players must make the kind of shots they relish, game on the line, a game that would be won.

He missed, even though he had ample time to gather himself before stepping into his attempt.

Powell should have buried his look, a basket that would have provided the Raptors with a four-point cushion.

Then came the defensive breakdown, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam failing to communicate on a switch.

Toronto had to exhaust its final foul, but didn’t.

Wayne Ellington had an open lane along the baseline.

His finish at the rim with 0.3 second remaining was the ultimate dagger, lack of awareness and a mental breakdown costing the Raptors.

The real story was being played out long before the late-game drama.

Three Heat players reached double digits in rebounding as Miami recorded 20 offensive rebounds, an indictment on Toronto’s lack of compete level.

No team shot the ball well, the Heat and Raptors combining to make just 11 three-pointers.

Casey wasn’t sure which player was responsible for the Ellington drive and score.

“We had a foul to give,’’ Casey said. “Down the stretch we want to make sure we executed.”

“No it didn’t,’’ he began. “And that’s probably why Wayne was open. That’s probably the last thing anybody would think he would do is put the ball on the floor and try to attempt to go for a dunk.

“You have to get lucky in this game as well.”

DeRozan missed 19 shots on 29 attempts.

He did go 4-of-8 in the fourth quarter.

“I’m going to figure out someway and somehow,’’ he said. “There were a lot of mistakes that I hesitated on, coming off screens, letting them get a chance to contest. A couple of shots I thought I was fouled on, but I didn’t let any of that discourage me.

“I knew at some point I was going to figure it out and there is no better time than in the fourth quarter.”

In the final period, the Raptors outscored the Heat, 25-18.

Toronto had a chance, but in late-game moments execution becomes critical.

Whether it was on offence or on the defensive end, the Raptors failed.

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